Preview

The next morning, Philip stepped out of his apartment, clutching a small bag, and froze at the sight before him. Parked in front of the building was a large, all-black shuttle with a glossy, seamless exterior. The sleek design hinted at advanced technology, and its imposing presence felt like an invitation to a world he’d only dreamed of. As he approached, the shuttle door hissed open, and a uniformed attendant scanned him using facial recognition software on a small device before ushering him inside. Philip stepped into the cabin, momentarily thrown off by the sight of several other passengers already seated, engineers, scientists, and administrators, all wearing badges with the World Space Administration’s insignia. He quickly found an open seat and fumbled with the harness, trying not to make eye contact. He was about to buckle in when he noticed another passenger, a young woman with shoulder length light brown hair, sitting across from him. She looked up, her expression unreadable but curious, as if studying him. He gave her a polite nod and settled into his seat, fastening his harness. She did the same, her eyes flicking over him for a moment before she looked away, her gaze fixed on the view outside. Philip glanced out the window as the shuttle’s engines hummed to life, a subtle vibration spreading through the cabin. With a sudden jolt, the shuttle lifted off, leaving the ground behind in a swift, effortless motion. His stomach fluttered as they gained altitude, and the familiar sight of his city quickly shrank, replaced by the vast expanse of clouds. He watched, awestruck, as they ascended past Earth’s atmosphere, leaving the curve of the planet stretching below. Stars appeared in the blackness of space, sharper and more numerous than he’d ever seen them, glinting like fragments of a far-off dream.

He glanced sideways at the other passengers, some were immersed in tablets, others gazed out the windows with expressions of practiced calm. He felt the reality of his situation settle in, a genius MIT dropout who once spent his nights in a small apartment is now on his way to the moon. The shuttle maintained a smooth, near-silent pace, the hum of the engines a quiet reminder of the technological marvel he’s inside. Philip glanced at a display on the wall that showed their trajectory, a fast arc toward the moon.

He’s mesmerized, but his thoughts kept circling back to the propulsion model, the project he’d been asked to join. The weight of expectation pressed on him as he wondered if he was ready for what awaits. Philip was captivated by the sight of Earth receding below, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw the young woman’s reaction, she seemed less awestruck than he was, her expression focused, almost analytical. The young woman caught his glance, offering him a quick smile. “First time heading to the Administration’s moon base?” she asked, her tone light. Philip nodded, feeling his face flush. “Yeah… first time off Earth, actually.” The woman nodded knowingly. “It’s a pretty incredible place. I’m Ava, by the way.” “Philip,” he replied, his nerves loosening slightly. “Philip Anders.”